Any builder-remolders on here? Advice on fiberglass tub-showers!

[Tim1]

Hey fellas, about 15 yearas ago I put in a fiberglass tub-shower unit and its been a problem always. Can't clean it properly and it has blisters in the finish. Was this a problem with the process back then? I want to put one in my house and my rental, but at 300. 00 a pop, I need to know what to look for. Manufacturer,process,finish,or products used? This will be the last install for me, I hope! I know someone has knowledge of this, if you would please share. Thanks in advance. Tim

 

[lmills]

Can't say that I have ever had that problem. All I have ever had or installed were easy to clean and had a smooth finish

 

[ETOBICOKE]

Mirolin Tub Shower

Tim I put in a Mirolin Tub shower, full enclosure type with an integral top. It looks like it was a vacuum formed type of styrene material, backed up with fiberglass. Very easy to clean, stays nice and shiny, also has a non slip bottom in the tub. You can get them in a one piece unit or one that comes apart for easy installation in existing bathrooms.



Neil

 

[daveshoe]

What went wrong

I have been in the building and remodeling business for 35 years. I used to buy the the cheaper units because that is what was available. When you cut through a cheap unit , you will notice that the wear layer is paper thin and may even see that the fiberglass is built up over cardboard. When you cut a hole with a holesaw through a quality acrylic unit like a Kohler you will notice the wear layer is about 1/8 inch. You ain't gettin one of these for 300 bucks, however. The tradeoff is a unit that is built like a tank and will be cheaper in the long run . It is very easy to install IF you have an opening big enough to get through.

If you have a plumbing showroom in your area that remodelers use to ''show '' their customers what is available, then you need to stop in and see what a quality unit is like. A Kohler unit weighs at least twice as much as any unit i have seen-- real quality.

This is not to say that previous posters are wrong in their recommendations. There are other brands to buy. I just want to say that when you find a product of this quality, it is hard to not seem ''bossy'' in recommending it.

If you are interested in the K brand, go th Kohler.com and you can see every product they sell, see the difference between fiberglass and acrylic and other good stuff. I have installed both one piece and multi piece units, and will help you out with info on both if you want to PM me.

Hope this helps

 

[dseabaugh]

shower

Always go with an AquaGlass Brand. I had them in my rentals since the 70"s and have them in all 4 bathrooms in our house. they are about 5/8ths of an inch thick and have never had a problem. the thin fiberglass ones get holes in them and the renters stomp the bottoms out of them washing their motor blocks in them or whatever it is they do. You couldn't give me anything else.

 

[Tim1]

Thanks fellas

I knew that I could count on you fellas, thanks alot. I am sure that we have one of those thin units. Will visit a showroom and inspect closely for the quality in the units. Once again, thanks. Tim

 

[dseabaugh]

I hit a blank spot when I was telling you about the Aqua Glass. It is acrylic also. Dave shoe is telling you right. I've put them in every house I've built and zero regrets.

 

[Deezul1]

I had a customer that needed a new one and no way to get it into the bathroom with out major door surgery. It had a bad crack in the bottom was why it needed replacing and I found that there are people that replace the bottoms in these and they are a lot stronger. It isnt cheap but a lot better than buying a new unit and redoing the doorway too.

 

[RON'S RAM]

The one piece acrylic units with the ceiling are the best way to go, if you can get it in. They are usually installed when the rough framing is being done in new construction. The last one I installed was in a 25 year old house. We cut out part of the outside wall, pulled the old cast iron tub out, and slid the new one piece unit in. After securing the new tub, we patched the outside wall. The following day we patched inside. Looks great, and was easier than it sounds.